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AM hails Ysgol Esgob Morgan’s reading scheme on visit with Minister

January 11, 20130

Labour AM for the Vale of Clwyd Ann Jones has been joined Leighton Andrews, the Welsh Labour Government’s Education and Skills Minister, on a visit to Ysgol Esgob Morgan to see the success being achieved by their reading schemes.

The pair met with staff and pupils from Ysgol Esgob Morgan including the Head Teacher, Mr Tim Redgrave, who has driven the scheme forward. The schools Patron of Reading is author, Helena Pielichaty.

The ‘Patron of Reading’ scheme, alongside the summer reading challenge, Writing Squads and Chatterbooks programme, all aim to promote reading for pleasure in the school. The scheme has been recognised nationally and has been featured in the Times Education Supplement.

Ann Jones said:

“I am delighted by the school’s continued success, and as the programme goes from strength to strength the infectious enthusiasm the head teacher has for reading seems to grow and grow.

“The school’s success story has come through hard work, leadership and by developing a strong bond between the school and the local library; this has resulted in creating a culture of reading for pleasure.

“I am pleased that the Welsh Labour Government’s Education was able to see the programme for himself. It’s important that we share best practise between schools so that this scheme can make a wider impact right across Wales.”

Tim Redgrave, head teacher at Ysgol Esgob Morgan, said:

“Reading is the cornerstone to a child’s education. If we are able to develop a child’s desire to read for pleasure then this can only have a positive impact in all other areas of their learning.

“We’ve been working very closely with our local library to develop the children’s appetite for books and as a result we have had a fantastic response. All of our children in the school completed the Summer Reading Challenge having been inspired by our wonderful Patron of Reading, Helena Pielichaty.

“I am grateful that Ann Jones and Leighton Andrews have taken the time out of their busy schedules to see the success we’re achieving as a result of our ‘reading patron’ scheme.”